MURFREESBORO, N.C.- Behind five players in double-figures and a strong second half, the Salem University men's basketball team defeated Chowan on the road 96-90, Wednesday night.
With the win, Salem jumps to 14-8, while Chowan stumbles to 12-9.
The Tigers shot 48.6 (36-74) from the field, while Chowan shot 44.9 (34-74) from the floor. Chowan outrebounded Salem 49-37, however, Chowan turned the ball over 17 times to Salem's 11.
Chowan held the lead for 20:44, while Salem held it for 15:28. Salem's largest lead of the game came at the end as it led 96-90.
Salem was led by senior
Christopher Shields who netted a game-high 25 points while dishing out three assists and notching three steals, while junior
Malique Ross garnered 19 points and dished out seven assists with four rebounds.
Senior
Malik Toppin produced 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds, freshman
Fonz Hale added 14 points and three assists and senior
Ferlandis Penny scored 12 points with five rebounds.
In the first half, Salem connected on just two three-pointers (2-9) but was able to connect on 10 of its 13 free throws.
The first half was back and forth in the early going as Salem held a 32-31 advantage with 7:01 remaining in the first half after Shields connected on an and-one jumper, making his free throw. This was the last time in the first half Salem led, as Chowan jumped out to a 44-34 lead with 4:04 remaining in the first half.
At the break, Salem trailed Chowan 53-46.
In the second half, at 18:11 Salem cut the lead to 53-52 after Ross found an open Shields for a jumper. At 13:56 in the second half, Penny knocked down a three-pointer from Hale to take a 64-62 lead over Chowan.
From that point, Salem and Chowan exchanged leads multiple times, however at a media timeout with 4:50 remaining in the game Chowan led Salem 85-82.
The Tigers battled back at 3:06 and Shields found Toppin, who slammed it home for an 89-88 lead. Salem extended its lead to 94-88 after a pair of free throws from Penny with 2:00 remaining in the game.
The Tigers are back in action Monday as they host Davis & Elkins at 7:00 p.m.
